English as a Second Language (ESL)

This research guide has been developed by the librarians at the Evans Library to assist students who are learning English as a second language. Use the tabs to navigate your way through the resources available at FMCC and online.

From the Introduction: "The Columbia Guide to Standard American English is unique in showing systematically how today's language is appropriately used in five levels of Standard American writing, ranging from the most informal of personal notes to the most formal of printed publications."

From the Preface: "This revised edition...provides short stories from around the world for high-intermediate to advanced students of English as a second language. In most instances, the stories have been simplified."
Includes reading comprehension questions and vocabulary-building exercises.

From the back cover: "[A] do-it-yourself approach provides a nonthreatening atmosphere for learning how to write...It is very practical and can be used both as a self-instructional manual for improving writing skills in general and as a troubleshooting resource for diagnosing and solving specific writing problems."

From the Preface: "The stories in this book deal almost entirely with present-day life in the United States. They should be of particular interest to students who, while studying English, also want to learn something of the North American scene."

This free online language-learning program offers an easy-to-use app for smartphones, so you can learn on the go. Choose your native language and the language you want to learn, and get started with a free account!